The official blog of GCSAA's Golf Course Management magazine

Inside the ropes at Medinah CC, part four

The first day of the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah CC's Course No. 3 has come and gone — and it was a good one for the American team — and Jim Wallace, the superintendent at Medinah's Course No. 1 checks in with how the golf course maintenance team spent its time on Friday:

5 a.m. — Morning managers meeting ... another
day filled with emotion and excitement as we are roughly two hours from the
start of the 39th Ryder Cup matches. We all feel really good about where the
golf course is for the start of the matches today, and our job is to keep it
that way.

5:45 a.m. — All teams are on the golf
course and ready to execute, waiting for the go ahead with enough light to
start cutting. There is definitely a different feeling today with the matches
officially starting this morning. Everyone has an extra level of excitement and
sense of urgency about them today. My team starts on the 13th green and we are
able to start cutting a little bit earlier this morning due to some extra light
from the video board across the water from the green.

6:20 a.m. — Every team has been cleared to
begin work and initial cut checks and follow-up on all activities are in
motion. The early start has my team on a really good pace today, and with the
first group going at 7:20 we want to make sure we are moving quickly and with
precision so that we are well clear of golf by the time they get through the
first hole. We made some adjustments to our order this morning and that seems
to be really helping us get away from any area where golf will be during the
first hour of play.

7:20 a.m. — The 39th Ryder Cup has begun!
We can hear the roar from the first tee while my team is on the green on No. 12
as the first players are introduced. The time simulation that Curtis and Ross
have been going over with us is pretty darn accurate. As the players move
through the golf course we are finding they are right on the time that we
expected. My team wraps up morning prep at 8:30 a.m., our best time yet.

10:15 a.m. — Midday team meeting ... we go
over the order that each of the teams will work through to get the golf course
prepped for afternoon play coming on the heels of morning action. We begin to
separate into our teams and prep our equipment.

10:30 a.m. — We are headed out to prep the
course for the second round of matches. The players are right on the times that
Curtis and Ross forecasted they would be, so it made it a lot easier for us to
check our pace and know exactly where we stood at all times. As we are getting
out and cutting greens, you can just tell by looking at them that they are
going to be quick this afternoon, and from what I saw out there in the matches,
it seems that was exactly the case. Moving through the crowds wasn't quite as
bad as we expected today, most of the spectators were either following the
final two matches left on the course from the morning matches, or getting in
position to have a good view on the first couple of holes for the afternoon
matches. The plan that Curtis and Ross laid out for us is working out great,
and our staff is even getting some cheers from a very lively crowd.

2:30 p.m. — Our midday run is complete and
we are headed back to the shop to reorganize, grab some dinner and get ready
for our evening run around 4 p.m. The golf course is buzzing with excitement.
The matches from the first round are tied 2-2, and the Americans are coming out
strong thus far in the afternoon. Roars can be heard all over the golf course,
and you can really see when you watch this event just how much the players
enjoy this and take pride in playing for their home countries. The fans out
there are certainly creative in their attire, as well.

4:30 p.m. — We are headed out for our
evening run. The last two matches are still on the golf course; Team USA is
having a pretty good afternoon. The crowds are all gathering on the last few
holes, so most of the golf course is open for us to get started on the front
nine. As the last matches close out and the crowds begin to clear, we are
working through the golf course touching up some rough mowing, bunkers and
filling divots. Darkness starts to close in around 7:30 and we put the
finishing touches on an unforgettable day. I think I speak for our entire team
when I say that this week is very special to all of us, and I am confident that
memories of this week will stay with us for the rest of our lives. USA leads
the matches 5-3 going into Saturday.